Since the 2026/2027 school year, schooling in Luxembourg is compulsory until age 18, compared with age 16 previously. It is organised across primary and secondary education over a minimum of 12 years.
In the early years, Luxembourgish is the main language of communication, although some activities may be organised in French. From cycles 2 to 4 (children aged 6 to 11), children traditionally learn to read and write in German, which then becomes the language of instruction for most subjects. In secondary education, French gradually becomes more prominent.
Public schooling is free from primary to secondary level. Since September 2022, access to public non-formal education facilities, such as after-school care and maisons-relais, as well as canteen meals, has also been free for children in primary school.
From around age 11, pupils move into one of two main tracks. Classical secondary education lasts seven years and is primarily designed for university preparation. General secondary education lasts six to eight years and includes academic, technical and vocational training pathways.
Luxembourg’s classrooms are among the most international in Europe. According to the ministry of education, 44.7% of primary-school pupils are foreign nationals, representing 139 nationalities, while foreign students account for 46% in general secondary education.
Good to know
Luxembourg is reforming primary-school literacy teaching. Under ALPHA – zesumme wuessen, parents will progressively choose between German and French pathways. The first choices are planned for 2026/2027, with pupils entering their selected track from 2027/2028, after pilot projects launched in 2022.
Where to get textbooks
For many pupils in Luxembourg, one word returns each year: Schoulbicher--school books. Since 2018/2019, compulsory textbooks have been free for secondary and vocational students. Via myBooks.lu, pupils select their required books online and collect them from partner bookshops, including: Ernster, Librairie des Lycées, Diderich (Esch-sur-Alzette), Zimmer (Diekirch), Samkats (Echternach), Christina’s Bicherbuttik (Wiltz), Um Fieldgen (Luxembourg City), Biba (Marnach).
Some students receive their textbooks directly at school.
The best platforms for academic support
Arriving in a new school system can take time, especially in a multilingual country like Luxembourg. For children who need help catching up, preparing exams or gaining confidence in a particular subject, several local tutoring platforms offer one-to-one lessons at home or online.
Coursathome.lu
With 130 qualified teachers and more than 10 years of experience in Luxembourg, Cours at Home offers private lessons and homework support for primary and secondary pupils. Lessons can take place at home or online, and the platform highlights its own methodology and digital learning tools.
Reussitschool.lu
Réussit’School offers personalised tutoring, small-group courses and holiday revision programmes for pupils in the Luxembourgish, European, French, Belgian and international school systems. Support is tailored to each pupil’s level and learning needs, with programmes available throughout the school year and during school holidays. Lessons can take place at its Limpertsberg centres, at home or online.
Abacus-nachhilfe.lu
Abacus offers one-to-one tutoring at home or online for common primary and secondary-school subjects, including mathematics, languages and sciences. Lessons are adapted to the pupil’s school system, timetable and learning style, with tailored support also available for pupils with learning difficulties, including ADHD, dyslexia and dyscalculia.
After-school programs
Start local
Many communes and schools publish their own programmes at the beginning of the school year. These may include sports, music, creative workshops, theatre, dance, science activities or holiday camps. Places can be limited, and registration often opens early in the school year.
Sport and movement
For primary-school children, LASEP (Ligue des Associations Sportives de L’Enseignement Fondamental) offers athletic and multisport activities through local structures. In Luxembourg City, the Sports pour Tous programme (for ages 4 to 16, with exceptions for some classes) also offers youth classes, with activities such as skateboarding, futsal, breakdance, volleyball, chess, archery and cycling. Youth classes are free, but registration is required.
School-based activities
Schools and parent associations often run extracurricular programmes on site. European School Luxembourg II, for example, lists activities including music lessons, dance, swimming, theatre and climbing. The Vauban High School also offers extracurricular activities and holiday clubs, with programmes changing according to the school calendar.
This article was written for the 13th edition of the Expat Guide, published by Paperjam, on 8 July. The content is produced exclusively for the magazine. It is published on the site to contribute to the full Paperjam archive. Click this link to subscribe to the magazine.
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